The suicide of a woman, rumored to be a witch, ruins Eiichi's wedding day. His lover hangs herself, horrifying the guests, and gives birth to a baby girl. Eiichi and his new wife are forced to raise the unwanted child, naming her Tsumiko (Great Shame).
As Tsumiko grows up, she looks more and more like her deceased mother. She must contend with her younger, accomplished sister Megumi, while trying to improve her own life amid mounting tension at home and school.